Exodus 30:1-13 ▼

1 [The LORD continued,] |Build an altar out of acacia wood for burning incense.

2 Make it 18 inches square and 36 inches high. The horns and altar must be made out of one piece [of wood].

3 Cover all of it with pure gold-the top, the sides, and the horns. Put a gold molding around it.

4 Make two gold rings, and put them below the molding on opposite sides to hold the poles for carrying it.

5 Make the poles out of acacia wood, and cover them with gold.

6 Put the altar in front of the canopy which [hangs] over the ark containing the words of my promise. I will meet with you there in front of the throne of mercy that is on the ark.

7 |Aaron must burn sweet-smelling incense on this altar every morning when he takes care of the lamps.

8 Also, when Aaron lights the lamps at dusk, he must burn incense. For generations to come an incense offering must burn constantly in the LORD's presence.

9 |Never burn any unauthorized incense on this altar or any burnt offerings or grain offerings. Never pour a wine offering on it.

10 Once a year Aaron must make peace with the LORD by putting blood on its horns. Once a year-for generations to come-blood from the offering must be placed on the altar to make peace with the LORD. It is most holy to the LORD.|

11 Then the LORD said to Moses,

12 |When you take a census of the Israelites, each person must pay the LORD a ransom for his life when he is counted. Then no plague will happen to them when they are counted.

13 As each person is counted, he must give one-fifth of an ounce of silver using the standard weight of the holy place. This one-fifth of an ounce of silver is a contribution to the LORD.